Newsletter

Faith-basaed initiative outlined for local parolees

Making a successful transition from prison life to freedom is a daunting endeavor faced by roughly 40 parolees released in Chatham County every month.

That's why the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles is reaching out to Savannah's religious community in a faith-based initiative to help ex-offenders become successful citizens.

"Without the proper support system, they'll return back to a life of crime," said Garland Hunt, chairman of the state parole board. "Our program is an attempt to strengthen that support system."

Hunt, Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson, County Manager Russ Abolt and about 75 local ministers and parole officers gathered on Monday at the Coastal Georgia Center to outline the initiative. The partnership, officials hope, will assist parolees in finding employment, mending ties with relatives and securing housing.

"We contribute too many people to the corrections system," Johnson said, "and we know unless they get a sentence of death or life without parole, they're coming back home."

There are about 1,100 former prisoners on parole in Chatham County, said Beth Oxford, the state's director of parole. She said that when parolees are released, they're given $25 and a bus ticket.

"I don't know about you, but coming down here this afternoon, I spent $70 on gasoline," parole board member Robert Keller added, characterizing the conditions upon release as "harsh."

Harry Kennedy Ferguson, who identified himself as a parolee who served 25 years in Georgia prisons, hopes the initiative will build upon the Savannah Impact Program, which supports about 160 local parolees.

"I would love to see something that works right now, and hopefully we can come up with something that will touch the lives of ex-offenders," said Ferguson, who was released from prison last year.

Ferguson said he's earned money working at a car dealership, and he regularly meets with children at the Scott Alternative Learning Center.

"These men are coming back to the community - not all of them have life without parole."